Can-lifter



M. E. SHIRKEY.

CAN LIFTER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-13.1919.

1,363,928, Patented Dec. 28,1920.

MARTHA E. SHIRKE' Y, OF BEW, MONTANA.

CAN-LIFTER.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented D 28 1920 Application filedSeptember 13, 1919. Serial No. 323,465.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARTHA E. SHIRKEY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Bew, in the county of Yellowstone and State of Montana, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Gan-Lifters; and I dohereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descriptionof the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to whichit appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to can and jar lifters and the primary object ofthe invention is to provide an improved device for effectively liftingand handling cans and jars during cold pack canning process.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved device forlifting hot cans and jars during the canning process which can beadjusted so as to effectively handle large or small cans or jars.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved hot can andjar lifter which can be readily applied to the can or jar and which isso constructed that the dis lacement of the can or jar is eliminated.

l still further object of the invention is to provide an improved hotcan or jar lifter of the above character, which is durable andefi'icient in use, one that is simple and easy to manufacture, and onethat can be placed upon the market at a reasonable cost.

Vith these and other objects in view, the

invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and formationof parts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described, claimedand illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof, inwhich:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the improved can and jar lifter showingthe can locking ring in inoperative position,

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the hot can and jar lifter partly insection showing a jar in position thereon,

Fig. 3 is a detail section taken on the l1ne 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar referencecharacters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,the numeral 1 generally indicates the improved hot can lifter whichincludes the straight vertical shank 2, which is preferably formed ofsuitable galvanized wire. The upper end of the shank has secured theretoa suitable handle 3 formed from wood or other non-conducting materialand the handle is prevented from downward movement on the shank by meansof a ferrule 4. The shank 2 extends beyond the upper end of the handleand is coiled to provide an eye 5, by means of which the tool may bereadily hung on a hook or the like. The lower end of the eye engages theupper edge of the handle and prevents upward movement of the handle onthe shank.

The lower end of the shank is provided with a forwardly extending rightangular extension 6, which forms an attaching foot for receiving theflat circular plate 7, which is adapted to be slipped under the bottomwall of the can to be lifted. The foot 6 is preferably flattened andsecured to the plate 7 by suitablerivets 8. The rear edge of the plate 7is providedjwith an upwardly extending flange 9, which forms means forengaging the side wall of the can lifter so as to prevent thedisplacement thereof, and this flange, if so desired, may also beriveted or otherwise secured to the shank 2. The plate 7 is providedwith suitable openings 10 so as to permit the water to readily draintherefrom. I

The shank 2 has slidably mounted thereon a collar 11, carrying anoutstanding eye 12 which loosely receives the retaining'ring 13 which isadapted to engage the top of the can or jar after the circular plate 7has been slipped under the bottom of the same.

While the plate 7 is being slipped under the bottom of the can, theretaining ring 13 is moved to the upper portion of the shank and swungon the eye 12 and positioned over the hook 14, carried by the handle 3.The hooks form effective means for holding-the retaining ring ininoperative position during the initial positioning of the device on acan or jar.

In operation of the improved device, the handle 3 is grasped and theplate 7 positioned in the boiling water of the canning receptacle andthe forward edge of the plate is positioned under the bottom wall of thecan or jar and the shank moved forwardly so as to position the can onthe plate adjacent to the flange 9 and the shank 2. The retaining ring13 is then lifted out of engagement with the hook 15 and brought intoengagement with the upper edge of the can or jar which effectivelyprevents displacement of the same from the plate 7. The can lifter isthen moved upwardly and the can is lifted out of the canningreceptacle.

If so desired, the forward edge of the plate 7 may be formed relativelythinand flexible, so as to facilitate the initial positioning of thebottom plate under the can.

In practice, I have found that the form of m invention illustrated inthe accompanying drawings and referred to in the above description, asthe preferred embodiment, is the most eflicient and practical; yetrealizing the conditions concurrent with the adoption of my device willnecessarily vary, I desire to emphasize that various minor changes indetails of construction, proportion and arrangement of parts may beresorted to, when required without sacrificing any of the advantages ofmy invention as set forth.

l Vhat I claim as new is:

1. A hot can and jar lifter comprising a vertical shank, a rightangularly extending flattened attaching foot formed on the lower end ofthe shank, a circular plate secured to said attaching foot, an upwardlyextending flange formed on the rear edge of said plate, a handle securedto the upper edge of said shank, a collar slidably mounted on saidshank, an eye secured to said collar, an 11111? lar retaining memberpivotally carried by said eye, and a hook secured to said handle andarranged to receive said retaining member to hold the same ininoperative position, as and for the purpose specified.

v 2. A. jar and can lifter comprising a single vertical shank, a rightangular extending bottom plate secured to the lower end of the shank, anannular retaining member pivotally carried by the shank and arranged toextend at right angles to the shank and in parallelism with the bottomplate, and means for holding the retaining member in an inoperativeposition in parallel relation to the shank, as and for the purposespecified.

3. A hot can and jar lifter comprising a shank, a bottom wall carried bythe shank, a jar engaging member mounted on the lower end of the shank,ahandle positioned on the upper end of the shank, and a ferrule securedto the inner end of the handle and engaging the shank, the outer end ofthe shank being extended beyond the handle, and an eye formed on theextended end of the shank and engaging the outer end of said handle toform an attaching member and to prevent upward movement of the handle onsaid shank.

4:. A device for lifting receptacles, a shank, a plate carried by oneend thereof for engagement beneath the receptacle, and a retainingmember having slidable and pivotal connection with the shank and adaptedto receive one of the receptacles therein to retain the latter againstmovement, and a fastening on the shank for holding the retaining memberparallel thereto when not in use.

5. A can lifter comprising a can seat, a vertically disposed shanksecured thereto, an element slidable and axially movable thereon, and acan embracing loop pivoted to said element adapted to be positioneddirectly above the seat to embrace the can, and capable of being swungto one side of the seat when the can is being removed from the seat.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MARTHA E. SHIRKEY. Witnesses I New W. Nons'rnoM. R. A. SHARP.

